Method and Apparatus for Administering Micro-Ingredient Feed Additives to Animal Feed Rations

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus are provided for administering micro-ingredient feed additives to animal feed rations. The apparatus may be referred to as a system which includes a number of discrete components which cooperate together to ultimately deliver micro-ingredients to a desired location, such as a feed mixer containing a feed ration. Structure is provided for storing, measuring, dispensing, and pneumatically conveying the micro-ingredients. Measuring of the micro-ingredients may be achieved by loss in weight, gain in weight, or volumetric metering methods. Pneumatic transport may be achieved either by a single transport line, or a plurality of transport lines. The system is operated by a control unit which controls components of the system to achieve delivery of specified amounts and types of micro-ingredients to the feed ration.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/633,463, filed Jul. 31, 2003, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FORADMINISTERING MICRO-INGREDIENT FEED ADDITIVES TO ANIMAL FEED RATIONS”,which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to micro-ingredients added to feed rationsfor animals such as livestock, and more particularly, to a method andapparatus for administering micro-ingredient feed additives to a feedration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Providing animals with various dietary supplements and medications suchas vitamins, minerals, enzymes, hormones, and antibiotics is a commonand well known practice in the livestock and poultry industries. Themanner in which these supplements are mixed together and added to aconsumptive fluid carrier such as water is disclosed in a number ofpatents to Pratt including the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,889,443; 4,815,042;4,733,971; and 5,219,224.

In these references as well as many others, it is known to utilizeautomated systems which dispense discrete amounts of micro-ingredients,mix the micro-ingredients, and then deliver the micro-ingredients to afeed ration, typically in a slurry mixture form. The prepared slurry maybe fed directly to the animals, or may be added to the animal feedrations using mixing or spraying methods.

Most animal feed supplements include pharmaceuticals, and mixing thesepharmaceuticals with animal feed causes them to be subject to theregulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Accordingly, thelocations which produce these medicated feeds must maintain compliancewith FDA regulations, and such locations are routinely inspected by FDApersonnel. Therefore, it is imperative that the equipment used in theprocesses be capable of accurately and precisely metering, dispensingand mixing quantities of the micro-ingredients.

One focus for many of the prior art references which disclose equipmentused for dispensing and mixing micro-ingredients is to improve accuracyand precision in delivering the micro-ingredients. One particulardisadvantage with many of the prior art systems is that although theymay be able to accurately and precisely dispense and mixmicro-ingredients, such systems are overly complex, and are difficult toclean and maintain.

One step in traditional approaches of manipulating micro-ingredientswhich can be eliminated or at least simplified is the mixing of themicro-ingredients prior to addition of the micro-ingredients to a feedration. Feed rations are typically stored in large batch-feed mixersprior to delivery of the rations to a feed truck which then distributesthe feed to bunk feeders for consumption by animals. It has been foundthrough various trials that mixing of the feed ration which inherentlytakes place at the batch feed mixers is in most instances adequate foralso mixing and dispersing micro-ingredients throughout the feed ration.By requiring use of a mixer within a micro-ingredient dispensing system,the mixer itself is an additional piece of equipment which must bemaintained and cleaned, and adds to the overall cost and complexity ofthe system.

Accordingly, one important object of the present invention is to providea micro-ingredient delivery system that is capable of accurately andprecisely manipulating the micro-ingredients for delivery to a feedration, but such a system is easier to clean, maintain, and is also madesimpler either by elimination of one or more pieces of mixing equipment,or by simplifying mixing if required by utilizing static mixingtechniques.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a micro-ingredientdelivery system that pneumatically conveys the micro-ingredients therebyeliminating the need to create a slurry mixture for delivery of themicro-ingredients to a desired location such as a feed mixer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a micro-ingredientdelivery system that is conducive to automation through the use of acomputer or industrial Programmable Logic Controller (PLC).

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide amicro-ingredient delivery system whereby accurate records may be kept tocomply with FDA regulations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a method and apparatus areprovided for administering micro-ingredient feed additives orsupplements to feed rations. The apparatus of the present invention maybe referred to as a system that includes a number of discrete componentswhich cooperate together to ultimately deliver the micro-ingredients toa desired location, such as a large batch of feed ration stored in afeed mixer.

The micro-ingredients are initially stored in one or more storage bins.The micro-ingredients are dispensed from the bins either by volumetricmetering or by weight. Once the desired amounts of micro-ingredientshave been dispensed, the micro-ingredients are then conveyed through apneumatic transport means to a desired location such as a feed mixer. Inthe preferred embodiments, the dispensed micro-ingredients communicatewith one or more pneumatic eductors. The eductor(s) are placed in linewith one or more transport lines or pipes. A pressurized source of aircauses flow of air through the line(s), and draws the micro-ingredientsthrough the eductor(s) into the transport line(s). The micro-ingredientsare then pneumatically conveyed through the transport line(s) to thefeed mixer.

In one embodiment, the dispensed micro-ingredients may be weighed in aweigh hopper. After weighing, the micro-ingredients are released into anintermediate collection tank.

In another embodiment, the micro-ingredients may be dispensed directlyfrom the bin(s) into the intermediate collection tank because thedelivered amounts of micro-ingredients are measured by the loss inweight of the bin(s) in which the particular micro-ingredients arestored. The loss in weight may be measured by load cells mounted underthe bin(s).

In yet another embodiment, dispensed micro-ingredients arevolumetrically metered by a feed screw in each bin. Each feed screw iscalibrated for delivering precise amounts of particular types ofmicro-ingredients. Each feed screw is controlled by a computer or PLCwhich accurately controls and records the operation of each feed screw.Activation of a feed screw at a particular rotational speed over a setduration of time corresponds to a particular amount of a dispensedmicro-ingredient. In all of the embodiments, when more than onemicro-ingredient is dispensed, dispensing may be simultaneous,sequential, or a combination of both.

One or more blower units provide the motive force to pressurize thetransport line(s) thereby propelling the micro-ingredients from theeductor(s) downstream to the feed mixer or other desired location.

The number of components used within the system of the present inventionmay be increased or decreased based upon the number and type ofmicro-ingredients which are to be delivered. In a basic embodiment, theapparatus of the present invention may include a single storage bin, ameans for metering or weighing micro-ingredient(s) stored in the storagebin, an eductor which communicates with micro-ingredient(s) dispensedfrom the bin, and a single transport line which pneumatically conveysthe micro-ingredient(s) to a desired location such as a feed mixer. Inthis basic embodiment, micro-ingredients would be stored,metered/weighed, and delivered sequentially. If it were desired to havethe ability to simultaneously deliver multiple micro-ingredients, thenduplication of various components of the system would be required. Forexample, two or more storage bins, two or more means formetering/weighing, two or more eductors, and two or more transport linesmay be provided. Additionally, a single blower or multiple blowers maybe used to provide the desired pressurization in the transport line(s)for delivery of the micro-ingredient(s). Thus, it can be seen that theapparatus of the present invention is easily adaptable to the number andtype of micro-ingredients which must be routinely delivered. Also, it iscontemplated that various combinations of the components can beprovided. Accordingly, duplicate sets of each of the components may notbe necessary. For example, two or more storage bins could communicatedirectly with a single eductor for simultaneous delivery ofmicro-ingredients through a single transport line. In this example,although there are two storage bins, there are not duplicate sets of theother components because a single eductor and a single transport lineare used.

The degree to which various components must be duplicated within thesystem of the present invention in order to deliver the desiredmicro-ingredients also depends upon the type of micro-ingredients whichare to be routinely delivered. For example, to prevent crosscontamination, it may be particularly desirable to have separatecomponents for delivering antibiotics or other FDA regulatedpharmaceuticals. For other micro-ingredients such as vitamins,nutritional supplements, or other nonregulated substances, it may bepossible to use a single storage bin, and then sequentially deliverthose non-regulated ingredients. However, even with non-regulatedingredients, it may be advantageous to provide duplicate sets ofcomponents to allow simultaneous delivery of the micro-ingredients asopposed to sequential micro-ingredient delivery. There may be a standardset of micro-ingredients which are routinely delivered to a feed ration.In such case, the system of the present invention can be tailored tobest effect economical yet efficient delivery of the micro-ingredients.For example, if there were routinely four types of micro-ingredientswhich were to be delivered to a feed ration, it may be desirable toprovide four separate storage bins which individually meter/weigh thefour separate micro-ingredients. If one of the micro-ingredientsincluded a regulated pharmaceutical, then it would be preferable to alsoprovide a separate conveying line for this particular micro-ingredient.However, for non-regulated micro-ingredients, it may be desirable toprovide a single conveying line.

In order to alleviate problems associated with production of dust as themicro-ingredients are delivered to the feed mixer, a liquid interfacemay be provided at the discharge ends of the transport lines.Particularly in high wind conditions, creation of dust can beproblematic. For pharmaceutical type micro-ingredients, it is alsoimportant to limit loss of these ingredients in delivery to the feedmixer. The liquid interface can be produced in the form of a watercurtain which would effectively shield the dry micro-ingredients as theyenter the feed mixer. A water curtain device can be incorporated at thedischarge end of each transport line to create a continual stream ofliquid to surround the micro-ingredients as they leave the dischargeends of the transport lines. The structure and function of the watercurtain devices is not to mix the liquid with the micro-ingredients, butsimply to shield the micro-ingredients from air flow which might createdust and loss of micro-ingredients. Additionally, if there is arequirement that the micro-ingredients be mixed with water prior todelivery of the micro-ingredients to the feed mixer, a number of simpleyet effective mixing devices may be placed at the discharge ends of thetransport lines to provide the required mixing. These mixing devices arenot mechanically or electrically driven, and have no moving parts. Thus,they can be characterized as static mixers which take advantage of theflow of the micro-ingredients and flow of water (if water is required)to effect the desired mixing. As discussed below with respect to thepreferred embodiments, various types of static mixing devices can beused either alone, or in series with one another.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent by a review of the accompanying drawings taken along with thedetailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of one preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is another schematic view of another preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a discharge device;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of another type of dischargedevice;

FIG. 5 is another fragmentary perspective view of a discharge device;

FIG. 6 is yet another fragmentary perspective view of a dischargedevice;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a series of dischargedevices specifically adapted for mixing dry micro-ingredients withliquid prior to delivery of the micro-ingredients to the feed mixer;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a mix manifold which may beused alone or in series with at least one of the devices shown in FIG.7; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of the mix manifold of FIG. 8illustrating the interior details thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates one preferred embodiment of the system of the presentinvention which is specifically designed for storing, dispensing,measuring, and delivering micro-ingredients from an initial locationwhere each of the micro-ingredients are stored, to a desired locationsuch as a feed mixer containing a feed ration. Initially, themicro-ingredients are stored in one or more storage bins 12. The binsmay have an open upper end 14 or a closed upper end having a reclosablelid (not shown). The bins with lids may be sealed storage units, and thebins may be pressurized in order to assist in dispensing of themicro-ingredients. Means are provided for dispensing themicro-ingredients from the bins 12 to a weigh hopper 24 as shown inFIG. 1. One preferred manner in which the micro-ingredients may bedispensed from the bins is by use of an auger 20 which is powered by amotor 16. One of the motors 16 and a portion of the corresponding bin 12is broken away in FIG. 1 to view the auger 20. A drive belt 18 wouldtransfer rotation from the motor 16 to the auger 20 which would rotateto transfer a desired amount of micro-ingredient from the bin 12,through discharge tube 22, and into the weigh hopper 24. The speed andduration for operation of the auger 20 would be controlled as by acontrol unit 42 which would be programmed for operating the auger 20 asfurther discussed below. FIG. 1 illustrates a pair of storage bins 12which dispense their micro-ingredients into a corresponding pair ofweigh hoppers 24. It is also contemplated within this embodiment and theothers discussed below to provide a single weigh hopper for a pluralityof storage bins depending upon the types and quantities ofmicro-ingredients which are required to be routinely delivered to a feedration. Micro-ingredients may be dispensed either simultaneously orsequentially into the weigh hoppers, again depending upon themicro-ingredients to be delivered. The weigh hoppers 24 provide anindication of the weight of the micro-ingredients which have been addedthereto, and the weigh hoppers also electrically communicates withcontrol unit 42. The control unit controls the operation of the augers20 by comparing weighed amounts of the dispensed micro-ingredients todesired amounts, and then operating the augers with the correct speedand duration to satisfy a particular needed quantity of themicro-ingredients. Once the desired amount of one or moremicro-ingredients are delivered to the weigh hoppers and the weightshave been confirmed by the scales 26 of the weigh hoppers, themicro-ingredient(s) may be released from the weigh hoppers as bydischarge valves 28 which allow the micro-ingredient(s) to fall directlyinto the corresponding pair of product collection tanks 30. The numberof product collection tanks would correspond to the number of weighhoppers which were used in the particular combination. Themicro-ingredient(s) would then remain within the respective productcollection tank(s) until such time the micro-ingredients were to bedelivered to the feed ration.

One or more transfer or transport lines 34 are used to convey themicro-ingredients to the desired location, such as an animal feed mixer40 which may contain a particular feed ration. The number oftransfer/transport lines 34 which are used may be varied depending uponthe desirability of segregating micro-ingredients to preventcross-contamination, or other concerns. For example, if one particularstorage bin, hopper, tank and transport line were dedicated for deliveryof certain types of antibiotics, it would be preferable to maintainthose dedicated components so that tedious and time consuming cleaningwould not have to occur each time a different micro-ingredient was used.If other micro-ingredients pass through the same set of components,cross contamination may arise, of which would require a time consumingcleaning between delivery of differing micro-ingredients.

After the micro-ingredients have been collected within the respectivecollection tanks 30, the micro-ingredients are introduced into thetransport lines 34 through eductors 46 which are placed in line with thetransport lines, and connect to the respective collection tanks 30.Valves 36 located below the collection tanks 30 would be operated toallow the eductors to draw the micro-ingredients into the transportlines 34 for pneumatic conveying. The transport lines 34 are pressurizedby a blower unit 32 which provides a source of air. The blower unit 32would be sized to provide the necessary motive force to adequatelypropel the micro-ingredients through the transport lines to the desiredlocation. The control unit 42 would also control the appropriate time atwhich the valves 36 would be operated to allow delivery of themicro-ingredients. Although simultaneous delivery of themicro-ingredients would be the most common situation, it is alsopossible to sequentially and separately convey the micro-ingredients asdesired. Accordingly, valves 36 could be operated simultaneously orsequentially. The control unit would also control activation of theblower unit 32 at the appropriate time for pressurization of the lines34.

The control unit 42 may be in the form of a programmable logiccontroller which essentially operates as a computer with software whichcan be programmed to control each of the components or elements in thesystem. As well understood by those skilled in the art, the PLC iscapable of operating a wide array of output devices such as valves 36,blower unit(s) 32, motor(s) 16, and eductor(s) 46 while also capable ofreceiving numerous inputs which monitor the system, such as scale(s) 26or the load cell(s). Various electrical or pneumatic control lines 44illustrate that each of the components are either controlled by controlunit 42 or provide input to the control unit 42.

Optionally, one or more discharge devices 38 may be used to shield orcondition the micro-ingredients prior to delivery to the feed ration. Toprevent loss of micro-ingredients as they enter the feed mixer, thedischarge devices 38 may be in the form of a water curtain apparatuseswhich create a protective curtain of liquid surrounding the drymicro-ingredients as they enter and make contact with feed in the feedmixer. Accordingly, liquid source 48 is shown with one or more liquidlines 50 which connect to the corresponding discharge devices 38 therebyproviding the desired flow of liquid. Alternatively or in combinationwith a water curtain device/apparatus, one or more deliberate mixingdevices can be incorporated. These mixing devices may be used to createa slurry mixture of the micro-ingredients and liquid which then enterthe feed mixer. If it was desired to deliberately mix the drymicro-ingredients with liquid to create the slurry, then such a slurrymixture would also inherently help to avoid loss of micro-ingredientsdue to adverse weather conditions such as high winds.

FIG. 2 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the present inventionwherein the weigh hoppers 24 and scales 26 are eliminated in favor of adifferent means by which to measure the dispensing of micro-ingredients.Like numbers in this embodiment correspond to the same elementsdiscussed above with respect to the first embodiment of FIG. 1. FIG. 2represents two alternate means by which the system may measure thedispensing of the micro-ingredients. One additional way in which themicro-ingredients may be weighed is by load cells which may bepositioned under the storage bins 12 and mounted on platforms 47. Theload cells provide weight measurement by a signal sent to the controlunit 42. With the use of load cells, the measured amounts ofmicro-ingredients would be calculated by loss in weight of the storagebins as the micro-ingredients are dispensed. In lieu of measuring thedispensed amount of micro-ingredients as by load cells, each auger 20could be precisely calibrated to dispense the desired quantity ofmicro-ingredients. According to this method, a calibration would takeplace for each of the augers 20 to ensure that operating the augers at aparticular speed and duration corresponded to dispensing of a knownamount of a micro-ingredient. Volumetric metering of micro-ingredientsin this fashion is suitable for those micro-ingredients which aredelivered in greater quantities, as it is much more difficult toaccurately meter smaller quantities of micro-ingredients. For both theloss in weight and volumetric metering methods, the micro-ingredientsare dispensed directly into the respective product collection tanks 30.Thus, there is no need for any type of hopper or other intermediatestructure thereby further simplifying the system.

As with FIG. 1, FIG. 2 also illustrates that a discharge device 38 maybe used to condition delivery of the micro-ingredients prior to enteringthe feed ration. In some circumstances, it may be desirable to actuallyadd liquid to the micro-ingredients to create a slurry mix, or liquidcould be used as a water curtain to provide dust control. Accordingly,FIG. 2 also illustrates a liquid source 48 having one or more liquidlines 50 which connect to the corresponding discharge devices 38.

FIG. 3 illustrates one particular example of a discharge device 38 inthe form of a water curtain apparatus that provides a curtain of watersurrounding the dry micro-ingredients thereby providing dust control.Particularly in windy conditions, it is important that the full dose ofthe micro-ingredients be delivered to the feed ration, and unacceptablelosses may be present if the dry micro-ingredients are blown away fromthe feed ration. Structurally, the water curtain device is similar to aneductor. Dry micro-ingredients 66 enter the water curtain device throughthe transport line 34, and then pass through inner concentric tube 62.The body 52 of the water curtain device surrounds inner tube 62, and aninterior gap exists between the inner surface of the body 52 and theexterior surface of the inner tube 62. A liquid 68, typically water, isintroduced into the water curtain apparatus through fitting 54. Fitting54 includes a tube 55 which communicates with the interior gap of thebody 52. The upstream end 56 of the body 52 is sealed so that the liquid68 may only flow towards the downstream end 58 of the body 52, therebyallowing the liquid to surround the inner concentric tube 62 in aconcentric fashion. A flange 64 may attach to the downstream end of theinner concentric tube 62 as shown. This flange 64 would thereby act as anozzle increasing the velocity of the liquid 68 which would then exitthe discharge tube 60, and the liquid would form a cylindrical shapedcurtain which surrounds the dry micro-ingredients 66 as they exit thedevice. As shown, there is no contact of the liquid 68 with the drymicro-ingredients 66 until the micro-ingredients have exited the watercurtain device. As also shown, the downstream ends of the flang 64 anddischarge tube 60 terminate substantially coterminous with one another.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an alternate configuration is provided for awater curtain device 38′. For this configuration, a smaller diameterdischarge tube 70 is used so that a much smaller gap exists betweeninner concentric tube 62 and the discharge tube 70. Additionally, inFIG. 4, the water curtain device does not utilize a flange 64;therefore, there is less acceleration of the liquid as the liquid exits.FIG. 4 also illustrates that the downstream ends of the inner tube 62and discharge tube 70 terminate substantially coterminous with oneanother.

FIG. 5 illustrates another example of a water curtain device 38″ whichis the same as the device shown in FIG. 4, the only structuraldistinction being that the discharge tube extends downstream beyond thedischarge end of the inner concentric tube 62. Therefore, there would besome mixing of the dry micro-ingredients and the liquid as themicro-ingredients and liquid travel through an extended discharge tube72. Nonetheless, the discharge tube 72 would still provide some watercurtain effect to prevent dust.

FIG. 6 illustrates yet another example of a water curtain device 38′″which may be used. In this particular device, it provides a watercurtain, and deliberate mixing of the micro-ingredients with the liquidstream. As shown, a mixing tube extension 74 connects to the dischargeend of the discharge tube 70, and a mixing plate 76 would be suspendedtransversely within the mixing tube extension 74 so that themicro-ingredients exiting inner concentric tube 62 and liquid exitingthe discharge tube 70 would strike the mixing plate 76 causing someturbulent flow, and thereby increasing the degree to which themicro-ingredients are mixed with the liquid. The micro-ingredients andliquid which would then exit the mixing tube extension 74 might then becharacterized as a wet feed mixture but not a well mixed slurry. Sincethe micro-ingredients would at least be wetted, dust would also becontrolled.

Referring to FIG. 7, in lieu of providing a single discharge device 38,it may be desirable to provide a series of mixing devices at thedischarge ends of the transport lines 34 in order to mix dry ingredientsand maintain a dry mixture upon delivery to the feed ration, or todeliberately add liquid to form a slurry prior to delivery. With thein-line mixing devices described in this Figure, adequate mixing of themicro-ingredients can be achieved without having to use the more complexand costly mechanical mixers which typically mix the micro-ingredientswith water prior to transport in transport lines.

The first component which is shown in FIG. 7 for receiving a flow ofmicro-ingredients is a mix manifold 80 which may include a housing 82, asealing plate 84, and a plurality of inlet ports 86. Inlet ports 86connect to the respective transport lines 34 deliveringmicro-ingredients. The inlet ports 86 allow the micro-ingredientscarried within the transport lines 34 to enter the housing 82 at anangle, and mixing would then take place as the micro-ingredientsintermingle within the housing 82. The discharge end 87 of the mixmanifold could then directly deliver the micro-ingredients to the feedration, or yet another mixing device can be used, such as a static mixer90 as shown. One example of a commercially available static mixer is aKomax Static Mixer. This type of static mixer includes a pattern ofinternal baffles 92 which provide excellent mixing of streams ofproducts as they pass through the mixer. The discharge end of thisstatic mixer 90 may then directly deliver the micro-ingredients to thefeed ration, or yet additional mixing devices could be used. In FIG. 7,the particular combination there illustrates the dry micro-ingredientsthen entering an eductor 96. This particular eductor 96 would becharacterized as a liquid eductor in that a stream of liquid would enterthe eductor through interior tube 97, and the dry micro-ingredientswould move downstream in a concentric fashion around the innerconcentric liquid stream carried by tube 97. The interior tube 97terminates at or near the junction between extension tube 98, and someinitial mixing of the liquid and dry micro-ingredients would take placethere. Finally, the micro-ingredients and the liquid could be finallymixed at another downstream static mixer 90. An intermediate elbow 100is shown as the connection between extension tube 98 and the downstreammixer 90. The liquid and dry micro-ingredients would exit the finalstatic mixer 90 in a slurry mixture. If it were necessary to clean theseries of mixing devices shown in FIG. 7, mix manifold 80 can beprovided with a flush water inlet 88 which would allow a liquid streamto completely flush and clean each of the components.

One additional example of a device which may be used to deliberately mixa plurality of dry micro-ingredients, or a plurality ofmicro-ingredients with a liquid stream is illustrated by the multi-mixmanifold 102 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The structure of the multi-mixmanifold 102 is characterized by housing 104, a sealing plate 106, aplurality of spaced inlet ports 108 which extend substantially parallelto the longitudinal axis of the housing 104, and a plurality of angledinlet ports 110. Dry micro-ingredients would typically flow throughinlet ports 108. Liquid would flow through the angled inlet ports 110 ifit were desired to mix the micro-ingredients with a liquid. The inletports 110 may be further described as nozzles because their downstreamends 112 may be tapered to increase the velocity of the liquid flowingtherethrough. The spaced arrangement of the angled inlet ports 110 wouldfacilitate increased contact between the dry micro-ingredients and theliquid as the streams enter the housing 104. The quantity and speed atwhich the micro-ingredients and liquid enter the housing 104 woulddetermine the degree to which the two elements would be mixed, and thespeed and quantities could be controlled to achieve the desired level ofmixing. The multi-mix manifold 102 could be used alone as the solemixing device, or it could be used in combination with one or more ofthe components illustrated in FIG. 7. For example, the multi-mixmanifold 102 could be incorporated with a downstream eductor 96 whereinthe multi-mix manifold would only mix dry ingredients, and then waterwould be added to the dry ingredients through the eductor 96.Additionally, a static mixture 90 could be incorporated downstream ofthe eductor 96 in order to achieve final liquid and dry mixing to createa slurry mixture.

Although the invention has been described with respect to preferredembodiments, it shall be understood that various other modifications tothe embodiments are deemed to fall within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

1-9. (canceled)
 10. A method of measuring, dispensing, and pneumaticallydelivering micro-ingredients to a feed ration, said method comprisingthe steps of: providing a bin for storing a quantity of amicro-ingredient; metering the micro-ingredient from the bin to a weighhopper; weighing the micro-ingredient in the weight hopper; providing atransport line and an eductor placed in line with transport line;pressurizing the transport line and eductor by a source of pressurizedair; operating the eductor to draw the micro-ingredient from the weighhopper and into the transport line; and pneumatically transferring themicro-ingredient to the feed ration without the addition of liquid tothe micro-ingredient while the micro-ingredient is in the transportline, bin and hopper.
 11. A method, as claimed in claim 10, furthercomprising the steps of: providing a discharge device at a discharge endof the transport line; and providing a flow of liquid through the devicecreating a curtain of liquid surrounding the micro-ingredient as themicro-ingredient exits a discharge end of the discharge device.
 12. Amethod, as claimed in claim 10, further comprising the steps of:providing a mixing device at a discharge end of the transport line; andintroducing a flow of liquid through the mixing device simultaneous withflow of the micro-ingredient thereby resulting in a slurry mixture ofthe micro-ingredient and liquid.
 13. A method, as claimed in claim 10wherein: said storage bin includes a plurality of bins and said weighhopper includes a plurality of weigh hoppers wherein separatemicro-ingredients are stored in each bin, and each micro-ingredient ismetered to a corresponding weigh hopper, each weigh hopper weighing themicro-ingredient therein prior to transfer of the micro-ingredient tothe transport line.
 14. A method, as claimed in claim 10, wherein: saidweighing step is achieved by measuring the gain of weight by addition ofthe micro-ingredient to the weigh hopper.
 15. A method of measuring,dispensing, and pneumatically delivering micro-ingredients to a feedration, said method comprising the steps of: providing a storage bin forstoring a quantity of a micro-ingredient; metering the micro-ingredientfrom the bin to a means for temporarily storing the meteredmicro-ingredient; recording the loss of weight in the bin after themicro-ingredient has been metered to the means for storing, the recordedloss of weight corresponding to the amount of the micro-ingredientmetered to the means for storing; providing a transport line and aneductor mounted in line with the transport line; pressurizing thetransport line and eductor by a source of pressurized air; operating theeductor to draw the micro-ingredient from the means for storing into thetransport line; and pneumatically transferring the micro-ingredient tothe feed ration, said transferring step being achieved without theaddition of liquid in the transport line, bin, and hopper.
 16. A method,as claimed in claim 15, further comprising the steps of: providing adischarge device at a discharge end of the transport line; and providinga flow of liquid through the device creating a curtain of liquidsurrounding the micro-ingredient as the micro-ingredient exits adischarge end of the discharge device.
 17. A method, as claimed in claim15, further comprising the steps of: providing a mixing device at adischarge end of the transport line; and introducing a flow of liquidthrough the mixing device simultaneous with the flow of themicro-ingredient thereby resulting in a slurry mixture of themicro-ingredient and liquid.
 18. A method, as claimed in claim 15,wherein: said storage bin includes a plurality of bins and said meansfor temporarily storing includes a plurality of means for temporarilystoring wherein separate micro-ingredients are stored in each storagebin, and each micro-ingredient is metered into a corresponding means fortemporarily storing.
 19. A method of measuring, dispensing, andpneumatically delivering micro-ingredients to a feed ration, said methodcomprising the steps of: providing a storage bin for storing a quantityof a micro-ingredient; metering the micro-ingredient from the bin to ameans for temporarily storing the metered micro-ingredient, saidmetering step resulting in delivery of a predetermined and desiredquantity of the micro-ingredient to the means for storing; providing atransport line and an eductor mounted in line with the transport line;pressurizing the transport line and eductor by a source of pressurizedair; operating the eductor to draw the micro-ingredient from the meansfor storing into the transport line; and pneumatically transferring themicro-ingredient to the feed ration, without addition of liquid to themicro-ingredient while the micro-ingredient is in the bin, hopper andtransport line.
 20. A method, as claimed in claim 19, further comprisingthe steps of: providing a discharge device at a discharge end of thetransport line; and providing a flow of liquid through the devicecreating a curtain of liquid surrounding the micro-ingredient as themicro-ingredient exits a discharge end of the discharge device.
 21. Amethod, as claimed in claim 19, further comprising the steps of:providing a mixing device at a discharge end of the transport line; andintroducing a flow of liquid through the mixing device simultaneous withthe flow of the micro-ingredient thereby resulting in a slurry mixtureof the micro-ingredient and liquid.
 22. A method, as claimed in claim19, wherein: said storage bin includes a plurality of bins and saidmeans for temporarily storing includes a plurality of means fortemporarily storing wherein separate micro-ingredients are stored ineach storage bin, and each micro-ingredient is metered into acorresponding means for temporarily storing.
 23. A method, as claimed inclaim 10, wherein: said transferring step is achieved withoutre-circulation of the micro-ingredient through said transport line. 24.A method, as claimed in claim 15, wherein: said transferring step isachieved without re-circulation of the micro-ingredient through saidtransport line.
 25. A method, as claimed in claim 19, wherein: saidtransferring step is achieved without re-circulation of themicro-ingredient through said transport line.
 26. A method of measuring,dispensing, and pneumatically delivering micro-ingredients to a feedration, said method comprising the steps of: providing a bin for storinga quantity of a micro-ingredient; metering the micro-ingredient from thebin to a weigh hopper; weighing the micro-ingredient in the weighthopper; providing a transport line and an eductor placed in line withtransport line; pressurizing the transport line and eductor by a sourceof pressurized air; operating the eductor to draw the micro-ingredientfrom the weigh hopper and into the transport line; pneumaticallytransferring the micro-ingredient to the feed ration without theaddition of liquid to the micro-ingredient while the micro-ingredient isin the transport line, bin and hopper; providing a discharge device at adischarge end of the transport line; providing a flow of liquid throughthe device creating a curtain of liquid surrounding the micro-ingredientas the micro-ingredient exits a discharge end of the discharge deviceconveying the micro-ingredient to a feed mixer containing an animal feedration, wherein the micro-ingredient is delivered to the feed rationwithout recirculating the micro-ingredient through the transport lineand wherein the flow of the liquid prevents loss of micro-ingredients asthey enter feed mixer.